The mother of Vickrum Digwa has been sentenced to three years in prison after being found guilty of helping conceal the weapon used in the murder of 18-year-old Henry Nowak. The court heard that Kiran Kaur played a significant role in the aftermath of her son’s fatal attack by taking the dagger from the scene and hiding it, an action that prosecutors said interfered with the investigation and helped her son avoid immediate accountability.
Digwa, 23, was previously sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of Mr Nowak, an 18-year-old University of Southampton student who died during a night out in December last year. His minimum prison term was set at 21 years before he can be considered for parole. The case has attracted widespread public attention because of the circumstances surrounding the attack, the subsequent attempts to shift blame onto the victim, and the police response in the moments before Mr Nowak died.
Kaur appeared at Southampton Crown Court for sentencing after being convicted of assisting an offender. Judge William Mousley KC criticised her actions, saying she failed to behave like a responsible parent when she chose to protect her son rather than help authorities discover the truth.
The judge told her that a responsible parent would have confronted their child about their actions and encouraged them to do the right thing. Instead, he said, she removed the dagger from the scene and placed it among a collection of ceremonial and other weapons in her son’s bedroom, which helped hide the significance of the weapon and prevented police from finding crucial evidence.
The court heard that Kaur’s actions affected the early stages of the investigation because officers were unable to locate the murder weapon. Prosecutors argued that this contributed to Mr Nowak’s final moments being filled with fear and confusion, as he was treated as a suspect rather than the victim of a violent attack.
Mr Nowak’s family has described him as a kind, talented, and hardworking young man who had a promising future ahead of him. He was the first person in his family to attend university and was remembered as someone who was devoted to his loved ones and passionate about football.
The tragedy unfolded after Mr Nowak encountered Digwa by chance while making his way home after a night out. A confrontation occurred, during which Digwa removed a dagger from its sheath and stabbed Mr Nowak multiple times. The court heard that the weapon entered approximately 8cm into his chest, while further injuries were inflicted to his leg, abdomen, and face.
After the attack, Digwa attempted to portray himself as the victim. Police body camera footage showed him claiming that Mr Nowak had attacked him, punched and kicked him, removed his turban, and made racist comments. These claims were later rejected during the investigation and trial.
In the moments after police arrived, officers placed the critically injured Mr Nowak in handcuffs. The teenager repeatedly said that he could not breathe and that he had been stabbed, but his pleas were not immediately believed. One officer responded by saying, “I don’t think you have, mate.” Two officers involved in the incident are now under investigation for potential gross misconduct.
By the time Digwa’s parents arrived at the scene, the weapon had not been recovered. The court heard that Digwa secretly instructed his mother to take the dagger, its sheath, and belt away from the area. Prosecutors said Kaur knew or believed that her son had seriously injured Mr Nowak but still chose to remove evidence that could have helped police understand what had happened.
Judge Mousley KC said that even if Kaur believed her son had been attacked or racially abused, she should have understood there was no justification for stabbing Mr Nowak. He noted that Digwa himself had no serious injuries, while Mr Nowak had suffered fatal wounds.
The judge concluded that Kaur acted because she wanted her son to avoid being caught. He said her actions caused additional harm and represented a serious attempt to obstruct justice.
Kaur, described in court as a devoted Sikh and housewife who had focused on raising her children, had denied wrongdoing. Her family defended her actions, with Digwa’s grandmother saying she believed Kaur had only done what many mothers would do by protecting their child. She also claimed that Digwa had been a difficult child while insisting that Kaur had raised her children well.
However, prosecutors rejected this explanation. Nicholas Loddenberg KC described her actions as criminality of the highest order, arguing that removing the weapon at such a critical moment played a crucial part in helping Digwa avoid responsibility.
The Crown Prosecution Service also warned that anyone who assists a person responsible for murder in escaping justice will face serious consequences. Kelly Newman said that those who attempt to protect offenders must understand they will also be held accountable.
Following the sentencing, attention has continued to focus on other aspects of the case. Earlier, Digwa, his brother Gurpreet, and their father Moga Singh appeared in court facing separate weapons charges linked to items allegedly found at the family home in Southampton.
Digwa denied possessing a number of illegal weapons, including flick knives, an extendable baton, knuckle dusters, machetes, swords, and other weapons. His brother and father also denied the allegations, and the charges are expected to proceed to trial.
The murder of Henry Nowak has left lasting questions surrounding the actions of those involved before and after the attack. While Digwa’s life sentence and Kaur’s prison term have delivered legal consequences, the case continues to generate public discussion over accountability, justice, and the devastating impact of decisions made in the moments following a violent crime.
